Valentine's Day Fun!!

We had the best Valentine's Day! Arnold and I actually celebrated on Saturday night. He took me to a cute little cafe in Springville for dinner, then to Hobby Lobby where I was allowed to spend the money he would have spent on flowers...on craft stuff. One hour at a craft store, just for his wife...I married a good man. Then we went to the Chocolate Place for dessert. It was a fun night out.

I'm so grateful to be married to my best friend! Arnold is the best husband and father. Every day he does and say's things that make me feel beautiful and valued. He's a hand's on dad and helps out around the house every chance he gets. I really couldn't ask for more. I am a lucky girl.

As for the kids...here are the highlights from all their fun Valentine celebrations...

Breakfast. Thanks Grandma Thiebaud for the fun heart shaped pancake molds. 






Delivering Valentine's to Reese's friends.


Making chocolate covered strawberries to surprise daddy!


Getting ready for a fun Valentine themed family dinner.


A fun little surprise from daddy right before dinner.




A Valentine scavenger hunt for the big surprise from mommy & daddy.


Who gave you those awesome gigantic teddy bears??? "You and daddy!"

Shhhh...don't tell...

...but Reese will be delivering these yummy Valentine's to a few of her BFF's tomorrow. She's so excited to share our latest Pinterest creation.

Favorite things...

Every night after prayers, books, and song, I ask Reese two questions. First, "what was your favorite thing about today?", then "what didn't you like about today?" She never fails to come up with the funniest, most interesting answers. My favorite days are when her answer to the second question is, "Nothing mommy, I like everything about today...it a good day!"

After I ask her the questions, she always asks me the same questions back. The other night she wanted to know what daddy liked and didn't like about the day. Before I could answer she jumped in with her own response...,"I know...daddy not like going to work cause he miss his Reesy sooooo much. And he really like to come home and see me. I make his day all better!"

You could not be more spot on little Reesy! You're daddy's favorite part of every day is definitely coming home to you...and Anni too!!

And your mommy's favorite part of everyday...having these little conversations with you!

There's always a first for everything!

Anni's had several first over the last couple days...

Her top two teeth finally broke through, after several months of playing peek-a-boo. She started clapping, much to the delight of her big sister. And then there was this...I finally let Anni ride in a cart without being strapped in her car-seat. She thought she was a pretty big deal. There was lots of squealing, bouncing, and pure elation!

 

Funny Funny Reese...

This is a game Reese lovingly calls "Anni fishing". She stands at the top of the stairs and throws her jump rope over the gate. Then she calls to Anni, "Anni...come over here Anni...come get me Anni." Then when Anni make it over to the stairs and grabs the rope Reese proclaims, "I caught her, I caught her...I caught you Anni." The first time she did it I said, "What are you doing?"...she said, "I'm Anni fishing."



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Random...
Me: Reese what do you want for breakfast?
Reese: Ummm...maybe something green.
Me: something green? what would that be?
Reese: Uhhh...you know, like last night...green things.
(When Reese say's "last night" or "yesterday" that really means anytime within her span of memory.)
Me: I'm sorry sweety but I don't know what green things you're talking about.
Reese: oh yea...they adacado's.
Me: Avocado's?? You want an avocado for breakfast?
Reese: yea mom...those adacado's are so elicious!! (delicious)
Me: I'm sorry but we don't have any avocado's sweety. You'll have to have something else. How about some cereal.
Reese: Oh man...I really want a adacado. Not fare we not have adacado's.

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I clearly have one sweet deprived toddler on my hands. Since Arnold and I started a diet 3 weeks ago there has definitely been a lack of sugar around here. This morning I started making cupcakes for my nephews mission farewell on Sunday. (Trust me...I'm going to be good and not eat any.) I've been mixing and whipping in the kitchen for the last 45 minutes with no attention from Reese, until I make one little comment...

Me: Hold one one second Anni, I'll get you out of your high chair as soon as I put the cupcakes in the oven.
Reese: (totally engrossed in her cartoons) What you say mom?? Cupcake??? You say cupcake?? You have cupcake?? (now on her feet in the kitchen) We make cupcake? I have a cupcake? When we have cupcake? I get to eat cupcake?? I want cupcake!!!
Me: What's that Reese? Did you say you don't like cupcakes?
Reese: No no no no mom...I lOVE cupcakes! I really really want cupcakes?
Me: (laughing) clearly! You can definitely have a cupcake as soon as they come out of the oven.

Poor girl camped out in front of the oven for almost 15 minutes waiting for a cupcake.

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Talking to Reese today about facial expressions...

Me: What do you think this face means? (making happy face)
Reese: Happy
Me: What does this face mean? (looking sad)
Reese: So sad
Me: And what do you think this face means? (looking surprised)
Reese: freaked out!
Me: (laughing)
Reese:(starts laughing too) That's your so so funny face mom :)

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Me: Reese what do you want for breakfast?
Reese: ummmm...I want eggs...and maybe sausage...wait...no no no...I want pancakes with strawberries.

Funny, I don't remember saying, "Hi, welcome to IHOP. Can I take your order?" But I'm a sucker...I made her the pancakes with strawberries. It's hard to say no to that sweet little face.

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When I turn my back for 2 minutes...

...this is what can happen...

Dishwasher dancer.
 

happy-sad day

Logan went into the MTC today. I can hardly believe it. I've felt a little sad tonight. I remember my first night in the MTC and I remember how scared and homesick I was...and how hard a mission can be. It's not easy to think of someone you love so much, possibly feeling the same way. But I also know what an awesome experience is in store for him...and how life changing and wonderful a mission can be... and that makes me happy and excited. Many mixed emotions.

I can't even imagine what my sister must be feeling today. The first of her babies to leave the nest. I'm kind of glad I have many many years before I'm standing in those shoes. But I also know the time will pass much more quickly than I would probably like.

It feels like only a short time ago that I got the call that my sister was in labor and that little Logan was making his way into the world. I rushed to the hospital to be the first, besides his mom and dad, to hold him. It was love at first sight. It was the first time in my 18 years of life that I knew what it felt like to instantaneously feel such an overwhelming and unconditional love. Over the years he grew and he was my little buddy. He would run into my arms the second he saw me and would cry when I had to leave him. There was rarely a day in the first two and a half years of his life that I didn't see or talk to him, until I left on my mission. On that day he gave me a big hug and said, "I go wif you mimi?".  I cried for the first hour of my flight, at the thought of not seeing him for 18 months.

Many years have passed and now it's his turn. I know he's not a little boy anymore. I know he's ready and I know it's one of the greatest things he'll ever do. All that said, I can't help on this night think of the  innocent little eyes on a sweet little boy, and pray with all my heart that what ever emotions he's feeling tonight he'll be strong and know how much he's loved. And know by this great service he'll have the opportunity to share that love with many who so desperately need it.

We will be praying for you every day Logan!



And to my big sister who's feeling a little like her heart got ripped out today...thank you for having such amazing kids. And thank you for letting me love them like they are my own. When I think about how I made it through my twenty's and half my thirty's being single...I can't help but credit these three little munchkins who could always bring a smile to my face...even on my darkest days.

Finally!!! SNOW!

It's the end of January and we finally got some snow to play in! Reese was so excited when she woke up and looked out side this morning. I told her that we could go out and play as soon as Anni went down for her morning nap. The next two hours were the longest of her life! At one point, after she had asked me at least 20 times "is it time yet?" she said...

Reese: Mom let's just put Anni to nap time.
Me: I've told you several time's Reese, it's not time yet.
Reese: But mom...her don't know. Let's just do it and then we can play outside. It's taking sooooo long.

Well after soooooo long we finally made it outside, and the snow was still there.









When we first went out the snow was pure powder. I had to break the news to Reese that this was not good "snowman" snow. But as we stayed out for awhile, it started to warm up and the snow got a little stickier. It still wasn't "big" snowman snow...but we managed to make this little lady. Reese was thrilled.

10 months...not possible

• Has decided that she hates baby food...but loves spagetti! She would eat it every meal. Has also decided that she should be able to feed herself everything. Meal times are still very stressful for mommy.
• Loves to climb and walk along furniture. Now makes it up the stairs in the blink of an eye. 
• Will stand at the back door and bang on the glass while talking to herself. 
• Squeals with delight if she can get her hands on a cell phone or TV remote. It's like she knows she's gotten a hold of something she shouldn't...and she's thrilled with herself about it.
• Is still very much a mommies girl, but to her grandma's delight she was a grandma's girl this last weekend.
• Loves her big sister. Her face lights up and the mere sound of Reese's voice.
• Is already a master at the straw sippy cup. 
• Has halfway transitioned to a forward facing car seat. I still put her in her carrier car seat if I know she might fall asleep or if I need to keep her contained in a store. It's nice to have a van so we can do both for a little while longer.
• Loves to read books...and loves to turn the pages. Just like Reese used to, she will give you the evil eye if you try to do it for her.
• Provides us with hours of smiles, laughter and pure joy.

Farewell

I can't believe today was Logan's farewell. I feel like it was yesterday I was snuggling with him on the couch watching Dumbo.



The Nordfelt side of the family is being taken over by girls! Go girl power!


Who can give Uncle Kit the tightest hug contest...


...Crew won.


I'm not sure what to think of this new high tech generation...good? bad? Crazy to me that my 3 year old knows how to use my phone better than I do.

Overheard...

Reese: "Anni I just love you soooo much! I so happy we sisters. We be best friends forever and ever and ever and ever!"

First bubble bath...

"You should try this Anni...trust me it tastes really yummy!"

Let's Dance!

Reese started her first dance class today. She was so excited she could hardly stand it...or mom could hardly stand the constant, "Is it time yet? Is it time yet? Is it time yet?" all day long!

She was up and dressed in her dance gear by 9 a.m. Too bad class wasn't until 3:30 p.m. This is what she did for most of the day.

Until it was finally time to go...


Reese's friend Rowan saying, "look Reese, your mom is taking your picture."

Valentines

Reese and I were bored yesterday, so we decided to make a fun Valentine's door hanger. We went to Hobby Lobby and got the X & O letters for $.99 each (on sale). Then we used scrap fabric and ribbon.  I thought it turned out pretty cute for $2.

Princess Super Hero's...Saving the Day!!

Me: Wow...look at you two.
Rowan: We're princess super hero's
Me: Princess super hero's hu, well you both look awesome.
Reese: We are awesome mom.
Rowan: We're saving the day!
Me: Can I take a picture of you guys.
 Reese: Just hurry mom...we gotta go save the day soon!

Guess whats new with Reese...

Can we say Sunbeam!!

When I broke the news to Reese a month ago, that her Nursery days were coming to an end, she was immediately concerned about the "toys" and "snacks" that Sunbeams would offer. Needless to say, the truth came out and our initial conversation did not end well. I've been trying to talk up Sunbeams ever sense; which is no easy task. In a 3 year olds head there's really not much of an "up" side to leaving Nursery.

But after one Sunday, she was so happy to be a sunbeam! Mom however, was a lot more emotional than she ever expected to be.

I just hope she was able to sit still in a chair for 2 hours. I could hardly get her to stand still for one picture.

Reese & Rowan on their first day of sunbeams. They are so excited to be in the same class. (We have 3 sunbeam classes in our ward.)